Welcome to the Aleph Sector Campaign blog, Sheffield University Wargames Society's narrative based campaign set in Games Workshop's Warhammer 40,000 universe.
If you are new here, have a read of the Aleph Sector Campaign System. This will explain what the campaign is, how it works etc. If you are really keen you can download the entire ten year history of the campaign!
If you are a new student in Sheffield, visit the Wargames website from the links section on the right to get involved!

Pages

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

Background

Situation Aleph Date: 0508.06The Aleph sector remained quiet for over a year. Thanks to multiple diplomatic efforts between the UFP and Cardinal Sheriden, the situation on Carnaq V was resolved, with the planet remaining under the control of the UFP. In return the UFP scored a major strategic goal by being given the governance of the remainder of Aleph 4. This agreement so outraged the Dark Angels that they (temporarily) abandoned their bases in the subsector, declaring the ruling elite traitors to the imperium.

So peace reigned in the subsector for nearly a year. The chaos forces, now totally depleted, retreated to their homeworld of Kendrenec, while their military base on Donar [Hellheim] dissolved into anarchy. The UFP and Imperial forces, equally matched, rarely saw one another and apart from the odd skirmish there were no major battles in .005 - .006. Trade even sprang up between neighbouring UFP and Imperial worlds, though this was rarely disclosed to the imperial authorities, lest extremist inquisitors such as the ever present Xanthus should discover them… The Tau consolidated their hold in the subsector, fully colonizing Cernunnos and keeping an ever vigilant watch on their neighbour.

The Kel Sandros Eldar meanwhile were far from happy. Behind the scenes they pushed for further UFP expansion, but while the UFP continued to court the planetary governers, or populations, or both, exhorting them to join the UFP cause, the UFP high command refused to move against the Imperium militarily. However the eldar knew that the Tau were eager to expand.

The farseers of the belligerent craftworld sought once again to create unrest in the sector. They gave the Tau exploratory fleet the coordinates of an uninhabited planetary system with one inhabitable world. This was Protogonus, a system charted by the Imperium several thousand years ago but thought not worthy of mention. However it was noted that the system did also have large mineral deposits on several worlds, but that its strategic value was too low to warrant further colonization.

Now however this had changed. The eldar were fully aware that the presence of a Tau base so close to the Imperial hub would be unacceptable. They also hoped that the UFP, seeing the Tau as a client of theirs and an ally, would intervene in any military conflict.The Tau quickly began to colonise the world, sending 50,000 of their number to begin exploration and construction. The Imperium were unaware of this however. Once the Tau base was established, the Eldar saw to it that a routine patrol of Imperial scout ships, were drawn into the Protogonus system. To do this the Eldar simply sent out one of their ships as bait. Feigning engine trouble the eldar ship fled from the Imperial escorts, until in range of the Protogonus system wherein it disappeared. The mission was successful however as Tau gunships opened fire on the Imperial ships who in turn fled, informing the Imperial high command on Cerberex.

Things moved swiftly after that, as the Sons of Ultramar were requested to “investigate and pacify” Tau expansion in the Protogonus system. The scene was set…..

And no-one had thought to check for the presence of Necrons in the system…

---Click to enlarge

Major forces – Motivations

Imperial GuardTold where to go and what to do by whoever is in command the loyal troops of the Imperium will fight where and when they are told.

Sons Of UltramarThis space marine chapter, new to the sector have been detailed with the removal of the Tau from the Protogonus system. This is their primary mission but they will fight against the Emperor’s enemies as and when required. However it is uncertain what there position will be if Inquisitor Xanthus succeeds in his mission to remove the Imperial ruling elite from power.

Dark AngelsOutraged at the peace treaty with the UFP the Dark Angels have left the system. Some believe however that they intend to return. It is almost certain that they would support Inquisitor Xanthus in his attempted removal of Cardinal Sheriden and his allies.

Kel Sandros EldarSubtely “using” their allies to their benefit the Kel Sandros Eldar are bent on conquering the galaxy once more. They wish to destabilize the Imperium and to do this have allied themselves with the UFP and Tau, however they fully intend to use these as pawns in a very complicated game of chess.

Sisters Of BattleThe Sisters of Battle have recently arrived in the subsector. They have learned that eleven holy artifacts still reside on Aleph 4 after its handover to the UFP. From analyzing historical texts they have ascertained the whereabouts of these items and intend to return them into the hands of the Imperium by any means necessary. Inquisitor Xanthus is also trying hard to persuade the sisters to join his quest to remove the ruling elite from power, citing the treaty with the unholy UFP as treasonous.

ChaosDespite being severely weakened the chaos forces still control two planets in the Aleph subsector and many factions wish to begin reconquering as soon as possible. Their warships however have suffered much at the hands of the Dark Exterminators’ incompetent and rash offensives and for the time being they must be content with minor missions.

Other EldarNot all eldar share the same beliefs as the Kel Sandros Eldar and many view their course of action foolhardy and irresponsible. Their concern is chiefly the survival of their race and will act aggressively to achieve this.

UFP (United Federation of Planets)The UFP forces are still recovering from recent wars. They do not want to become involved in major military actions if possible, but will fight when their way of life is under threat or allies call for aid.